Effects of gastric bypass surgery in patients with hypertension: rationale and design for a randomised controlled trial (GATEWAY study).

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and overweight are becoming progressively more prevalent worldwide and are independently associated with a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Systemic arterial hypertension is frequently found in association with obesity and contributes significantly to increased cardiovascular risk. We hypothesise that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, a procedure that effectively reduces body weight, can also positively impact blood pressure control in obese and hypertensive individuals. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A unicentric, randomised, controlled, unblinded clinical trial. Sixty obese (body mass index between 30 and 39.9) and moderately well controlled hypertensive patients, in use of at least two antihypertensive medications at maximum doses or more than two in moderate doses, will be randomly allocated, using an online, electronic and concealed method, to receive either RYGB plus optimised clinical treatment (OCT) or OCT alone. The primary end point is the reduction of antihypertensive medication at 1 and 2 years of follow-up. Data analysis will primarily be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the local institutional review board that works in total compliance with the latest version of the Helsinki Declaration, the Good Clinical Practices (GCP), the 'America's Document' and the national regulatory laws. Before the beginning of any study-related activities, each study participant is asked to provide a signed informed consent. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01784848.

Effects of gastric bypass surgery inpatients with hypertension: rationaleand design for a randomised controlledtrial (GATEWAY study)

Obesity and overweight are becomingprogressively more prevalent worldwide and areindependently associated with a significant increase inthe risk of cardiovascular diseases. Systemic arterialhypertension is frequently found in association withobesity and contributes significantly to increasedcardiovascular risk. We hypothesise that Roux-en-Ygastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, a procedure thateffectively reduces body weight, can also positivelyimpact blood pressure control in obese andhypertensive individuals.Methods and analysis: A unicentric, randomised,controlled, unblinded clinical trial. Sixty obese (bodymass index between 30 and 39.9) and moderately wellcontrolled hypertensive patients, in use of at least twoantihypertensive medications at maximum doses ormore than two in moderate doses, will be randomlyallocated, using an online, electronic and concealedmethod, to receive either RYGB plus optimised clinicaltreatment (OCT) or OCT alone. The primary end pointis the reduction of antihypertensive medication at1 and 2 years of follow-up. Data analysis will primarilybe conducted on an intention-to-treat basis.Ethics and dissemination: The study was approvedby the local institutional review board that works intotal compliance with the latest version of the HelsinkiDeclaration, the Good Clinical Practices (GCP), the‘America’s Document’ and the national regulatory laws.Before the beginning of any study-related activities,each study participant is asked to provide a signedinformed consent.